Fact: With gambling, what did happen has no influence on what will happen.

Myth: If I keep gambling, I’ll win back the money I’ve lost.

Fact: The odds are no more in your favor on the 10th bet than they were on the first bet. Over time, the more you risk, the more you’ll lose.

Myth: People can generally win their money back if they play long enough.

Fact: The more you play, the more you are likely to lose. And the fact is that gamblers lose far more money than they win.

Myth: People lose money gambling because they don’t know what they’re doing. Professional gamblers play frequently and win big.

Fact: It’s true that some people make money by gambling. But it’s extremely rare, and there are major differences between professional gamblers and problem gamblers. Professional gamblers bet to make money, not for the excitement or to escape their problems. They show a great amount of discipline and do not take any unnecessary risk – and usually stop when they are ahead. However, many professional gamblers do become problem gamblers over time.

Myth: You have to gamble every day to be a problem gambler.

Fact: A problem gambler may gamble frequently or infrequently. If your gambling is affecting other areas of your life, you may have a gambling problem.

Myth: Problem gambling is not really a problem if the gambler can afford it.

Fact: Problem gambling isn’t just a financial problem; it’s also an emotional problem. It’s about loss of control, and has isn’t limited to how much you win or lose.